Samwise NFL Newsletter
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Drew Allar Dazzles in NFL Debut as Steelers Rout Packers 28-9
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Drew Allar exceeded expectations in his NFL debut Thursday night, going 10 of 13 for 154 yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing score as the Steelers defeated the Green Bay Packers 28-9 in the preseason opener. Allar, a third-round pick out of Penn State, led the offense to three touchdowns in three series of work, finishing with a passer rating of 155.1. He made quick decisions under pressure and spread the ball efficiently, giving Pittsburgh fans an encouraging glimpse of the franchise’s potential future at quarterback. The Steelers’ first-team offense delivered a polished showing in week one of the preseason.
Sources: CBS Sports
Jeremiyah Love Electrifies in Cardinals Debut, Arizona Tops Raiders 27-14
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love received the ball early and often Thursday night in his NFL debut, carrying 11 times for 58 yards and adding three catches for 14 yards as Arizona defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 27-14. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft received more touches than typically afforded to a rookie in a preseason opener, signaling the Cardinals’ confidence in their prized selection. Love departed late with a minor ankle injury but was considered day to day; the team’s coaching staff indicated he could have returned to the game had the situation required it.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Cardinals Rookie OL Chase Bisontis Tears MCL, Season in Doubt After Preseason Surgery
Arizona Cardinals second-round pick Chase Bisontis suffered a torn MCL in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, casting doubt over his 2026 season. Bisontis, an offensive lineman taken in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, went down in the third quarter after an awkward collision and was unable to put weight on his left leg. ESPN reported the MCL is the only ligament damaged, with the ACL and meniscus intact, giving reason for long-term optimism, but the Cardinals offensive lineman faces surgery next week and is expected to miss significant time, potentially the entire season.
NFL Suspends Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. Eight Games, Titans’ Nazeeh Johnson Six Games
The NFL announced significant suspensions Friday, with Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 season for violating the personal conduct policy following an arrest in a domestic dispute. Pearce will not be eligible to return until Week 9, when the Falcons face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid. Tennessee Titans cornerback Nazeeh Johnson also received a six-game suspension for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy, eligible for reinstatement on October 19. Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong received a one-game suspension for a separate personal conduct violation. CBS Sports reported all four suspensions were handed down the same day.
Sources: CBS Sports
Commanders Top Dolphins 20-7; Marcus Mariota Exits with Knee Injury After Four Snaps
The Washington Commanders defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-7 Friday night in their preseason opener, but the biggest story was an injury to quarterback Marcus Mariota, who exited after just four offensive snaps. The 32-year-old appeared to suffer a non-contact right knee injury while handing off to running back Kaytron Allen in the first quarter, coming up lame and heading to the locker room for evaluation. Backup Sam Hartman took over for Washington, which controlled the remainder of the contest. The nature and severity of Mariota’s knee injury had not been confirmed by the Commanders organization as of late Friday night.
Sources: The Washington Post
Malik Willis Shows Promise in Miami Debut; Dolphins’ 93-Yard Opening Drive Impresses
Malik Willis impressed in his first action as the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback Friday despite the team’s 20-7 preseason loss to the Washington Commanders. Willis orchestrated a methodical 14-play, 93-yard opening touchdown drive, relying on a mix of arm and legs as Miami worked the sidelines in the passing game. Rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas made a one-handed 28-yard catch on the drive, and running back De’Von Achane scored on a 1-yard rush to give Miami an early 7-0 lead. The Dolphins went scoreless the rest of the game, but Willis’s composed and efficient opening drive offered an encouraging early sign.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Anthony Richardson’s Turnovers Overshadow Strong Stats in Colts’ 13-13 Preseason Tie
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots on Thursday ended in a 13-13 tie, with turnovers overshadowing otherwise solid statistics. Richardson finished 11 of 14 passing for 145 yards and rushed for a touchdown, but he threw an interception on his third pass of the game and lost a fumble in the second quarter. The quarterback was candid about the mixed outing afterward: “I don’t even think I played that well, honestly. Fumble, interception early. I’ve got to limit the turnovers.” The 2023 first-round pick enters a pivotal season with his ability to avoid self-inflicted mistakes under scrutiny.
Sources: NBC Sports Pro Football Talk
Bengals Edge Lions 16-14 in Preseason Opener; Luke Altmyer Makes NFL Debut
The Cincinnati Bengals edged the Detroit Lions 16-14 in Thursday night’s NFL preseason opener, delivering a tight contest that highlighted the depth battles both teams face heading into the 2026 season. Neither offense found substantial momentum, with the Bengals’ defense making critical stops in the late minutes to preserve the two-point victory. Detroit rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer started under center for the Lions and showed early flashes in his preseason debut as the franchise looked to establish a new offensive identity. The close result opened the 2026 NFL preseason on a competitive note before the regular season begins September 9.
AFC Divisions
Preseason Week 1 — Regular season begins Sept. 9
AFC East
New England Patriots — 0–0–1
Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0
Miami Dolphins — 0–1–0
New York Jets — 0–1–0
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers — 1–0–0
Cincinnati Bengals — 1–0–0
Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0
Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
AFC South
Tennessee Titans — 1–0–0
Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–1
Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
Houston Texans — 0–1–0
AFC West
Los Angeles Chargers — 1–0–0
Denver Broncos — 1–0–0
Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
Las Vegas Raiders — 0–1–0
NFC Divisions
NFC East
Washington Commanders — 1–0–0
Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
New York Giants — 0–0–0
NFC North
Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
Green Bay Packers — 0–1–0
Detroit Lions — 0–1–0
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 1–0–0
Atlanta Falcons — 0–1–0
Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals — 1–0–0
Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
San Francisco 49ers — 0–1–0
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency